Community Congregational Church January 2016

Community Congregational Church
January 2016 Newsletter
solutions that may be present upon the
horizon. Like George, as our anxiety builds - we pace like a caged animal seeing only
fence after fence after fence. Freshness
packs her bag and leaves town while
cousins monotonous and boring move in to
the spare bedroom. There is nothing new.
Thankfully, George was a Christian who
had simply forgotten the timeless truths
conveyed above by the prophet Isaiah.
George needed to be reminded of some
basics from "Faith 101." As the New Year is
upon us, I'm thinking we might all do well
with a reminder -- especially if we too are in
“survival mode.”
“NEW THINGS”
No matter what our situation may be –
good, bad, or downright ugly – God is
always at work around us and asks only
that we open our eyes to see what he is
doing! Psalm 121.1-2 reminds us to “lift up
my eyes to the hills. From where does my
help come? My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” And the truly
marvelous thing about this is that our God
is able always do NEW things!
His
perspective is perfect. He sees the end from
the beginning and is himself the Alpha and
the Omega.
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it
springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will
make a way in the wilderness and rivers in
the desert." Isaiah 43.19
George sat in front of me with his eyes cast
toward his feet. He and his family had been
staying in a nearby motel for several
months after losing his job and being
unable to make his lease payments. George
quickly found new employment. Yet even
with his new job, his wife and oldest child
working as well, George's family just
couldn't seem to get ahead. George came to
me for help -- tired of cramming his family
of four into a small motel room.
By the grace of God I was able to help
George raise his eyes and catch a partial
vision of the perspective of God. How about
you? Don’t settle for monotonous and
boring as houseguests. Pursue the vision
God has for your life and freshness will
return, guaranteed!
There was, of course, pragmatics to
consider; details which needed to be
carefully
considered.
Yet
I
quickly
discovered that the dire "physical" dynamics
of George's situation paled in comparison
with George's real issue -- the issue of his
"perception."
Behold, God is doing a new thing at C3
Church. Even now it is springing forth. It is
time we perceive and embrace it!
Pastor Wayne +
George is not the first to deal with faulty
perception. Most of us have spent time in
what I call "survival mode" at some point in
our lives. And once in that mode, there are
certain things that seem inexplicably a part
of our experience. Like George, our eyes
focus near our feet -- losing sight of
C3 Annual Meeting
January 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Sanctuary. Please plan to
attend this important &
informative meeting.
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experiencing a crisis, facing a challenge, or simply
going through a tough time.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
A Stephen Minister will meet with you
privately and confidentially on a weekly basis to
listen, care, encourage, support, and remind you of
Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in
all generations.
Christ’s presence in your life, “Our hope for years
Before the mountains were
to come.”
brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the
earth and the world, even from everlasting to
Father, You have been through every year of our
everlasting, thou art God. – Psalm 90:1-2
lives to sustain us and supply our needs. Stay by
our side as our loving Shepherd as we walk
Like so many on the threshold of a new
through this new year together.
year, we face change in our lives, an uncertain
future and the dawning awareness that a chapter
All your tomorrows are in God’s hands.
of life is closing for good. In an uncertain world
There are times when each of us needs the care
we yearn for stability and predictability. We find
ourselves spontaneously humming a tune.
of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen
It’s a
Minister!
hymn, with words written by Isaac Watts three
Leader (Cheryl Deavers, Lucille Lambruschi , Linda
hundred years ago. I know of no better hymn to
Riddle) when you are in need of this supportive
sing to bring us through the promise and the
confidential Christian care known as Stephen
challenge of the coming year.
Ministry.
O God, our help in ages past,
CHRIST CARING FOR PEOPLE
Our hope for years to come
THROUGH PEOPLE
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
Confidential Contact with a Stephen Leader:
[email protected]
And our eternal home.
There are times when every one of us
experiences difficulties. God never intended for
us to go through these experiences alone. That’s
why
God
has
brought
us
together
as
a
congregation and why we have Stephen Ministry.
Your
Stephen
Ministers
and
Leaders
are
commissioned to “Bear one another’s burdens, and
in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
Stephen Ministers are members of our
congregation who have received 50 hours of
caregiving
training
to
Speak to Pastor Wayne or a Stephen
minister
to
people
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3rd
4th
6th
11th
12th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
23rd
Mildred Van Scoy
Jon Hayes
Rita Hite
Yvonne Seamon
Peter Lengemann
Ron Erickson
Linda Riddle
Louise Lamkin
Pierce Klingbiel
Cheryl Deavers
Bruce Russell
Don Sisk
Donald Gray
Loretta Londeborg
Judy McCoy
24th
25th
26th
30th
31st
Kemper Rice
Gary Klein
James Wilson
Dick Gunderson
Olivia Lynn
Johnnie Schneider
Dixie Shroyer
Tyler Kruse
Betty Blandford
Berniece Brown
Christi Klingbiel
Gerald Mackey
Marion Moran
Dick Wallin
Peter Hutchings
with the
Children’s Choir
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Congregational
Care
Many thanks to this incredible congregation for all the wonderful items they donated to fill the
Christmas baskets. And a huge thanks for all the monetary gifts which allowed us to purchase
those items that were missing for the baskets. This will also give us money to purchase Easter
gifts for those who can use a little extra cheer and knowledge that the church is thinking of them.
Many thanks to all who helped pack, to those who baked and to those who delivered. The baskets
were filled with treats, homemade cookies, notes, tissues, cards, and many more items.
Without so much help from this loving congregation, these Christmas baskets just couldn't
happen. Thanks again and God Bless!
In His Service,
Nancy Hagelbarger
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Women’s Fellowship
January Women’s Fellowship will
meet on Saturday, January 16, 2016
at 10:00 am in the Multi-Purpose
Room. Looking forward to seeing
you all there!
Children’s Ministry
Dear Congregation,
A special thank you to everyone who
participated in The Giving Tree project!
With your help we were able to spread
God's love into our community by
providing gifts to 75 children this year.
Your gifts help these children feel
God's love in such a tangible way.
Thank You,
The Giving Tree Project
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Drama Ministry
Having a testimony and being ready to share it
is very important. You never know when God
will bring you the opportunity to share it. You
could be in the gym working out or bump into
one of your neighbors or friends. God doesn't
call us all to go to other countries as a
missionary, but He does want us to share the
gospel when possible. Think about what your
testimony is and get it straight in your mind so
when the opportunity arrives you'll be prepared.
Angels preparing for
the birth of the
Christ child
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“Breakfast Blend”
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Endowment Fund
A Lasting Legacy for Your Family
For those of you, who would like to leave a tribute and lasting legacy for your family
and loved ones, consider a gift to the church endowment fund.
Earnings from your gift are used to support church missions, special church
improvements, and to benefit the community surrounding us.
This can make a difference in people’s lives. You would be leaving a lasting impact
for generations, yet to come. The principal of your gift is preserved and the interest,
dividends, and earnings generated from your gift are used to benefit humanity and to
glorify God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
All of our riches & assets come from God. Let us give back a fraction of what we
receive from Him in response for His grace in our lives and in our church.
Take some time to look over the Endowment Book displayed at the south end of the
Connection Center. There you will find the names of people from the church who have left
lasting legacies to the endowment fund and their loved ones.
Gifts may be made in cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance policies,
annuities, or other tangible assets. These gifts may also be made through living trusts,
charitable gift annuities, or a bequeathed in your will and estate planning documents.
Gifts are made out to the Endowment Fund of Community Congregational Church.
Contact the church office if you have any questions on how to participate in the
endowment fund. You may also contact an Endowment Board member who will help you.
These members are Agi Boudewijn, Keith Moored, Richard Powers, and last but not least,
Bill Whitney.
God bless!
“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,
and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. “
2 Corinthians 9:12
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Advent
Candle
Lighting
Randy and Linda Riddle
Bill and Suzanne Whitney
Doug and Cheryl Deavers
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Christmas Eve
Services and Baptisms
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Comfort Ministry
A memorial service was held for Eileen Iovine’s son Shawn on December 5th. Eileen would
like to thank everyone for attending and especially Pastor Wayne, Peter Hutchings and the
choir, Gene Simco, and Alex Herron for making the service so beautiful and Lou Vitiello
for preparing the delicious food enjoyed by all. Of course we could not have such a loving
event without the wonderful group of the Comfort Ministry volunteers headed by Jacquie
Lenard and Betty Riddle. It is a labor of love and so appreciated that I cannot put my
thanks into words. God bless you all.
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“IN GOD WE TRUST”
Community Congregational Church’s
SEMI-RETIRED TREASURES
Sunday Worship
Services
& Children’s Church
Traditional: 9:30 a.m.
Modern Worship: 11:00 a.m.
Fellowship & refreshments between
services
10481 Southland Drive
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239-495-3377
Any Good Household Items
Donations are Tax Deductible
Pick up available at no charge
Community Congregational Church
15300 North Tamiami Trail (US 41)
Naples, FL 34110
Wayne Neller, Interim Lead Pastor
Justin Hanneken, Interim Associate Pastor
Dr. Charles M. Lewis, Pastor Emeritus
Church Office: 239-597-1000
Semi-Retired Treasures Thrift Store: 239-495-3377
Newsletter: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: http://C3Naples.org
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